Death

Mrs. Henderson Presents….


….breasts and strategically lighted, professionally groomed pudendum (or “pussy” if you prefer because apparently everyone doesn’t speak Latin).

I have never seen the film, 2005 was not a stellar year for me and movie-going, but I think Dame Judi Dench won an Oscar? Or perhaps just a nomination. In any event she was wonderful to watch and the scenes without her don’t sparkle nearly as much.

But I am a sucker for eccentric old lady movies, perhaps due to the fact that I fully intend to be one when the appropriate age presents itself.

In keeping with our near perfect tradition of choosing films where a character is widowed or experiences death in some other way, Mrs. Henderson opens with a funeral. Mrs. Henderson has been recently widowed.

And I thought – fuck me. Why am I plagued with blue-ray representatives of Queen Victoria at her blackest?

But you know what, that isn’t really true. I have yet to met an imaginary widow who doesn’t strive to break free of Lizzie’s misused rule book.

Mrs. Henderson did not disappoint.

Laura Henderson: [at Mrs. Henderson’s husband’s funeral] I’m bored with widowhood.*
Lady Conway: My dear, you’ve just scratched the surface. 
Laura Henderson: I have to smile at everybody. I’ve never had to smile at everybody. In India, there were always people to look down on. 
Lady Conway: People are merely being sympathetic. After all, you have lost your husband. 
Laura Henderson: Well I didn’t mislay him! It was most inconsiderate of Robert to die. What on earth am I supposed to do now? 

Lady Conway: It’s really not so bad. Widows are allowed hobbies. 
Laura Henderson: Hobbies? 
Lady Conway: Yes. Embroidery, things like that. 
Laura Henderson: Are you mad? 
Lady Conway: I’ve graduated to weaving. Would you care to see my tapestries? 
Laura Henderson: I’d rather drink ink. 
Lady Conway: Committees are good of course. I serve on quite a few charities. Once your husband dies, it’s quite permissible to help the poor. And now, there’s no one to stop you buying things. Also, of course, there’s a great deal of time for lovers. 
Laura Henderson: Margot, I’m nearly 70! 
Lady Conway: That’s true, but you’re also very rich. The one cancels out the other. 

Okay, widowhood is probably a lot different when you are not looking at decades of it but I have to admit I was long over widowhood itself within a very short span of time. Like Mrs. Henderson I wanted to do and grow and move on. Unlike her I didn’t have the money to buy a theater, so I blogged instead. There is something to be said for creative outlets.

Rob didn’t like the movie. He gave it a “meh”.

It is not quite a chick flick but veers dangerously.

Oh and there is nudity. Strategically lit and neatly trimmed.**

 

 

 

*Writing credits

(in alphabetical order)
David Rose   idea
Kathy Rose   idea
Martin Sherman   written by
**Boys and girls

Randy Pausch – The Last Lecture


He’s dead. I wrote about him last year when his “last lecture” was first making the internet rounds. Ironically I ran across his book Thursday when I was at Chapters. I didn’t buy it though. I don’t really need a book to remind me to live my life fully. Like Randy and his family, I discovered that through experience.

His death is a timely reminder to us all that life will not wait for us to create the perfect template or get the kids raised first or for us to “get over” whatever traumas and disappointments that hold us fast. 

Number One Son


In every family there is a child whose designation is that of number one son. Girl or boy. Oldest, middle or youngest. Someone comes to earn this title over years of demonstrating grace under pressure, reliability, common sense and a sense of duty to those tied to him or her by the accident we know as “family”.

I have written a bit before about my father. He has a progressively terminal lung disease that has been stable for the last year but he is nearly eighty-one and his health is failing despite the relatively hopeful prognosis on the lung front from his pulmonary doctor in the spring.

He is a lucky man. He has nearly died at least three times in the last two and a half years. There is really no medical rationale for the fact that he has survived this long. And in my opinion, making the “old” half of old age is an accomplishment for which not all of us will be allowed bragging rights.

I knew it was coming and it still stabbed me a good one. Read Full Article